Choreographed technical module having an orchestration functionality

Abstract

The invention relates to a technical module (2) comprising: - a plurality of technical objects, each of which is designed and intended to perform a technical function, - a control unit (11) which is designed and intended to control the technical objects, - a communication unit (13) which is designed to exchange data with external communication partners, in particular with other technical modules (3, 4, 5), via communication links, the communication unit (13) having a computer-implemented connection service (14) which is designed to manage the communication links of the technical module (2), and the communication unit (13) having a computer-implemented reading service (15) which is designed to read data received from external communication partners via the communication links of the technical module (2) that are managed by the communication unit (13), - a logic unit (12) that can be configured during runtime of the technical module (2) and is designed to generate, on the basis of choreography instructions (9) that are received from an orchestration instance (8) via the reading unit (15), information required by the control unit (11) for controlling the technical objects in order to operate the technical module (2) in a technical system (1).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Choreographed technical module with orchestration functionality

[0003] The invention relates to a technical module comprising a plurality of technical objects, each of which is designed and provided to carry out a technical function,

[0004] - a control unit designed and intended to control the technical objects,

[0005] - a communication unit configured to exchange data with external communication partners, in particular other technical modules, via communication connections, wherein the communication unit comprises a computer-implemented connection service configured to manage the communication connections of the technical module, and wherein the communication unit comprises a computer-implemented reading service configured to read data received from external communication partners via the communication connections of the technical module managed by the connection service,

[0006] - a logic unit configurable during runtime of the technical module, which is designed to generate information necessary for the control unit for controlling the technical objects for operating the technical module in a technical system based on choreography instructions received from an orchestration instance via the reading unit. Furthermore, the invention relates to a technical system comprising at least one technical module. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a technical module in a technical system. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program with program code instructions executable by a computer and to a computer-readable medium.

[0007] Particularly in the pharmaceutical and specialty chemicals industries, operators of technical plants are faced with high demands to be able to respond quickly to changing market requirements. Modular plants enable plant operators to significantly shorten the so-called "time to market" and to respond quickly to changing market conditions through low-cost plant conversion. Plant operators can build a pool of modular units (e.g., process units) with which they can assemble a specific plant using so-called orchestration. If the plant needs to be converted, individual modules are removed and replaced with other, for example, more powerful modules.

[0008] In previously known automation systems such as "PCS 7" or the "TIA Portal" from Siemens, the orchestration of modules is mapped to classic automation technology concepts. Communication connections are configured, operating screens are developed, and higher-level process sequences are created using languages ​​such as "S7 Graph" or "SFC (Sequential Flow Chart)." This is complex and difficult to implement due to the lack of relevant knowledge among process engineers.

[0009] The publication WO 2016 / 074730 A1 describes a method for creating a modular technical system using self-description information from the modules. This method is based on online self-description information for the individual modules. However, this information is generally not available (online) during the orchestration process of a modular system, as planning is carried out offline based on static type description information such as the Module Type Package (MTP) (see the draft of the standard "VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658" published by the Association of German Engineers (VDI) on January 4, 2018).

[0010] In general, the flexibility and adaptability of production systems represent a key factor for future production systems in volatile markets. These can be achieved by orchestrating intelligent technical modules (also known as "equipment assemblies" or "package units") into a plant. Each technical module offers functions that can be parameterized by a higher-level orchestration instance (also known as the "orchestration layer") and called in the correct sequence. The more detailed the functions are, the more flexibly larger functions can be orchestrated from them. However, smaller functions require greater effort for their coordination and engineering. If a technical module offers coarse-grained functions, these are too specific for many use cases, which in turn limits flexibility.

[0011] In the process industry, a procedural model based on the ISA-88 standard and IEC 61512 is available that describes different levels of granularity for the individual functions. Starting from the highest level of a "procedure", also generally referred to as a recipe, there are three further levels with increasingly smaller functions ("unit procedure", "operation", "phase"). The smaller the functions become, the greater the effort required to coordinate these functions. In addition to procedural relationships, regulatory and locking relationships also become more important. Both centralized and decentralized orchestration approaches are used today to orchestrate functions. Both variants work exclusively at the procedural level to combine smaller functions into a larger function ("procedure" or "unit procedure").

[0012] With central orchestration, the plant operator implements the "unit operation" in the orchestration instance by orchestrating small-scale functions using purely procedural relationships, usually resolved via step transition logic. In this case, orchestration in the orchestration instance also requires consideration of regulatory and interlocking relationships. For this purpose, the orchestration instance has a data hub that reads values ​​from a source and writes them to a sink. Between reading and writing, the orchestration instance offers the option of inserting configurable conversions. In addition to the effort required to implement the "unit operation" in the orchestration instance, orchestrating the small-scale functions and implementing the regulatory and interlocking relationships place high performance and real-time demands on the orchestration instance.

[0013] Within the framework of a decentralized orchestration, the "unit operation" is implemented natively in a (control) program of a controller of the technical module. Here, too, step transition logic is usually used. Regulatory and locking tasks can in this case be implemented within the controller of the technical module. However, the flexibility of this solution is limited because the function at the "unit operation" level must be very specific to a certain application case. In many cases, the mechanical engineer who develops, manufactures, tests, and (in some industries) sells the technical module with corresponding validation certificates does not even have the process knowledge to implement the "unit operation" in the technical module.

[0014] The Module Type Package (MTP) concept is a standardization activity that specifies runtime interfaces and semantic information models to enable a largely automated integration process of intelligent modules, so-called device assemblies, into a higher-level control system, the so-called orchestration layer. The standard introduces an automation service concept using a central orchestration mechanism for linking multiple automation services. The use of a choreography mechanism has already been proposed as a solution for implementing cross-device and cross-module automation functions.

[0015] An evaluation of choreographies in a laboratory process in a plant implemented according to the MTP concept has shown that choreographies are ideally suited for assigning device assemblies, especially when it comes to closed-loop control systems that extend beyond device assembly boundaries. However, the automation software for each participating device assembly in a choreography, called a choreography participant, must be expanded with function blocks corresponding to a specific choreography pattern. This represented a limitation in some cases.

[0016] The goal of a choreography of automation services is to assign interacting services to new automation functions. A choreography consists of at least two services designed to exchange process, control, interconnection, and parameter system variables via direct cross-communication. System variables are service states, parameters, process values, or status information from individual control elements, which are provided via standardized interfaces.

[0017] In a choreography, the service is provided with the system variables of other services that are required for its own task, and with a configured set of rules that define how the service must react to changes in the system variables. This defines how the behavior of a service is influenced by the system variables of its environment. Together, this forms the functional knowledge that a service must possess to interact with the surrounding services. The interaction of all services in a choreography thus implements a new, associated automation function that can be accessed via a new service interface that maps the entire choreography. This interface consists of the interface of a service (the so-called "leader") and other services (the so-called "followers") that are required for the associated functionality.

[0018] Tests have shown that the ability of a technical module to participate in such a choreography places significantly higher demands on the hardware performance of the technical module than with a classic orchestration. For example, in addition to an OPC UA server, an OPC UA client may also be necessary in the technical module, which increases the storage and computing capacity requirements of the technical module. It may therefore be expedient for technical and economic reasons not to provide the ability to perform a choreography as explained above in all technical modules. The object of the invention is to simplify the integration of a technical module into a technical system and to make the operation of the technical module more efficient.

[0019] This task is solved by a technical module, comprising,

[0020] - a plurality of technical objects, each designed and intended to perform a technical function,

[0021] - a control unit designed and intended to control the technical objects,

[0022] - a communication unit configured to exchange data with external communication partners, in particular other technical modules, via communication connections, wherein the communication unit comprises a computer-implemented connection service configured to manage the communication connections of the technical module, and wherein the communication unit comprises a computer-implemented reading service configured to read data received from external communication partners via the communication connections of the technical module managed by the communication unit,

[0023] - a logic unit which is configurable at runtime of the technical module and which is designed to generate, on the basis of choreography instructions received via the reading unit from an orchestration instance, information necessary for the control unit to control the technical objects for the operation of the technical module in the technical system.

[0024] The technical module is characterized in that the configurable logic unit is additionally designed to generate instructions for a control unit of a further technical module for controlling technical objects for operating the further technical module in the technical system on the basis of the choreography instructions received from the orchestration instance via the reading unit, wherein the technical module has a computer-implemented writing service which is designed to transmit the instructions generated by the logic unit to the further technical module via the communication connections managed by the connection service, so that the technical module is designed as a further orchestration instance for the further technical module.

[0025] A "technical module" is understood here as a self-contained technical unit that can be integrated into a (higher-level) orchestration instance of the technical system. Such a technical module can, for example, be a combination of several measuring points or a larger part of the technical system. A technical module can comprise any combination of individual control elements, sensors, or automation components. Furthermore, software-based representations of, for example, individual control elements can also be part of a technical module.

[0026] The technical module comprises a number of technical objects that can be used to carry out a technical process. For example, a technical object can be a boiler that can be used to heat a liquid or a conveyor belt that can be used to transport a medium or an object.

[0027] In addition to the technical objects designed and configured to carry out the process, the technical module includes (at least) one control unit. This unit controls (and, if necessary, regulates) the technical objects based on rules and interconnections stored or storable in the technical module. These can be specified in part by a manufacturer of the technical module and stored in the technical module.

[0028] The technical module is designed to perform a complex technical function in the technical system, such as the controlled pumping of liquid, heating water and maintaining a specific temperature in a tank, performing a filtering function, and the like. For this purpose, the technical module can, for example, comprise valves, tanks, sensors, and the like as technical objects.

[0029] The technical module also has a communication unit used for data exchange with external communication partners. This communication unit can comprise a server, in particular an OPC UA server. Alternatively or additionally, the communication unit can also comprise a publisher, in particular an OPC UA publisher. Publish / subscribe is a widely used and well-known mechanism through which subscribers receive information from publishers in the form of messages.

[0030] The orchestration instance can, for example, be a control system for a technical system such as a process plant. The orchestration instance wants, for example, to have a specific product generated by the technical module (and possibly other technical modules). To do this, it has acquired prior knowledge of which technical function(s) (services) the technical module offers. This information is communicated to the orchestration instance, for example, via the import of a so-called MTP file (Module Type Package). It is particularly advantageous if the one or more technical functions can be accessed by the control unit as an executable service in accordance with the VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard, which is valid at the time of the present patent application.This standard is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in the context of modular production or manufacturing, which means that a suitably designed technical module can be particularly easily integrated into the automation of a technical system.

[0031] The orchestration instance creates choreography instructions to achieve the creation of the desired product. These choreography instructions are transmitted to the communication unit of the technical module (wirelessly or wired using suitable communication protocols). The choreography instructions are converted by the configurable logic unit into information required by the control unit of the technical module to operate the technical module in the technical system. In contrast to "normal" orchestration instructions, the choreography instructions also contain information about which additional technical functions / services interact with the respective technical function / service of the technical module. These additional technical functions / services can be contained in additional technical modules that can be operatively connected to the technical module.

[0032] The logic unit can comprise computer-implemented function blocks that are configured according to the received choreography instructions. It is possible that rules and interconnections for the individual technical objects are already stored in the technical module, and that the configuration of the logic unit leads to a revised interconnection of the technical objects that is (only) valid for the execution of the instructed technical function(s). It can be provided that rules and interconnections already stored in the technical module, which were created, for example, by the manufacturer of the technical module, cannot be changed based on the received external instruction.

[0033] A significant innovation compared to existing technical modules is the special design of the configurable logic unit within the technical module. "Within the technical module" means that the logic unit is computer-implemented on computing / storage units that are physically part of the technical module.

[0034] The logic unit is configured to generate instructions based on the choreography instructions received from the orchestration instance, which instructions can be transmitted by a previously unknown computer-implemented writing service of the technical module to another technical module. These instructions represent orchestration instructions that the other technical module requires for its operation. The (first) technical module is therefore configured in a particularly advantageous manner both as a participant in a choreography of the orchestration instance and, with respect to the other technical module, as another orchestration instance.

[0035] This design of the technical module according to the invention allows signal propagation times between the individual technical modules and the higher-level orchestration instance, such as the control system, to be significantly reduced, and communication volumes to be kept to a minimum. This is primarily based on the idea that the technical module is generally spatially much closer to the other technical module (which interacts with the first technical module) than the orchestration module.

[0036] Instance .

[0037] The inventive design of the technical module thus makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to realize an advantageous symbiosis of choreography and decentralized orchestration.

[0038] The communication unit can be designed to exchange data with external communication partners via the communication connections based on the OPC UA specification that is valid at the time of this patent application, and the computer-implemented connection service can be designed to manage the OPC UA connections of the technical module according to the PLCopen OPC UA specification that is valid at the time of this patent application, and the computer-implemented read service can be designed to read data that is received from external communication partners via the OPC UA communication connections of the technical module managed by the communication unit, and the computer-implemented write service can be designed to transmit the instructions generated by the logic unit to the further technical module via the OPC UA communication connections managed by the connection service.In addition, the communication unit can have an archive in which information regarding communication with external communication partners can be stored, for example network addresses of the communication partners.

[0039] The previously formulated problem is also solved by a technical system, in particular a manufacturing or process system, comprising at least one technical module as explained above and at least one orchestration instance formed separately from the technical module.

[0040] A technical facility can be a facility in the process industry, such as a chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, or food and beverages industry. This also includes any technical facility in the manufacturing industry, such as factories where cars or other goods of all kinds are produced. Wind turbines, solar systems, or power plants for energy generation are also included in the term "technical facility."

[0041] The technical system preferably comprises a visualization system designed to visualize the choreography instructions used to control the technical objects of the technical module. With the help of such a graphical representation, the technical module can be integrated or choreographed more easily and efficiently into the technical system for carrying out a technical process. The visualization system makes it possible to obtain an overview of the technical functions currently applicable or active in the technical module and to supplement these if necessary. The visualization information required for the visualization can be transmitted to the visualization system in a format according to the aforementioned VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard.

[0042] The higher-level control unit can be designed as a control system that includes an operator station server for the visualization and / or orchestration of the technical module. In this context, an "operator station server" is understood to be a server that centrally records data from an operating and monitoring system, as well as generally alarm and measured value archives from the control system of the technical plant, and makes them available to users. The operator station server generally establishes a communication link to the automation systems of the technical plant and forwards data from the technical plant to so-called clients, which are used to operate and monitor the operation of the individual functional elements of the technical plant. The operator station server can have client functions to access the data (archives, messages, tags, variables) of other operator station servers.This allows images of the operation of a technical plant on the operator station server to be combined with variables from other operator station servers (server-to-server communication). The operator station server can be, but is not limited to, a SIMATIC PCS 7 Industrial Workstation Server from SIEMENS.

[0043] The technical system preferably comprises a further technical module in addition to the (first) technical module. The further technical module is connected to the technical module via communication technology and is designed to control the technical objects of the further technical module based on the instructions generated by the logic unit of the technical module and transmitted to the further technical module. The further technical module is not orchestrated or choreographed by the central orchestration instance, but rather by the (first) technical module, which acts as its own, additional orchestration instance.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, the technical system can have a further technical module that is connected to the (first) technical module via communication technology and that is designed according to the generic term of the previously explained technical module, or according to the generic term and the characterizing part of the previously explained technical module. The further technical module can therefore at least be choreographed. However, it can also be designed in a manner comparable to the technical module according to the invention.

[0045] The previously formulated problem is also solved by a method for operating a technical module in a technical plant, in particular a manufacturing or process plant, the technical module comprising:

[0046] - a plurality of technical objects, each designed and intended to perform a technical function,

[0047] - a control unit for controlling the technical objects,

[0048] - a communication unit for data exchange with external communication partners, in particular other technical modules, via communication connections,

[0049] - a computer-implemented connection service for managing the communication links of the technical module,

[0050] - a computer-implemented reading service,

[0051] - a logic unit that can be configured during runtime of the technical module,

[0052] - a computer-implemented writing service, the method comprising: a) integrating the technical module into the technical system, wherein in the course of this a communication connection of the technical module to an orchestration instance of the technical system, in particular a control system of the technical system, is established, b) transmitting a choreography instruction to the communication unit by the orchestration instance as an external communication partner of the technical module and forwarding it to the configurable logic unit of the technical module, c) generating necessary information based on choreography instructions received via the reading unit from an orchestration instance for the control unit to control the technical objects for the operation of the technical module in the technical system, d) based on the choreography instructions received via the reading unit from the orchestration instance,Generating instructions for a control unit of another technical module to control technical objects for operating the other technical module in the technical system, e) transmitting the instructions generated by the logic unit to the other technical module via the communication links managed by the connection service by the write service, f) operating the technical module in the technical system.

[0053] Method step b is preferably carried out on the basis of a server, in particular an OPC UA server. Method step b is particularly preferably carried out on the basis of a publisher, in particular an OPC UA publisher.

[0054] As part of a further development of the previously explained procedure, the additional technical module is operated on the basis of the (orchestration) instructions transmitted by the writing service of the technical module.

[0055] Within the scope of an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, a further technical module is additionally operated, which is designed according to the generic term of the technical module according to the invention, or according to the generic term and the characterizing part of the technical module, wherein the further technical module is operated on the basis of choreography instructions that it receives from the orchestration instance. The object is also achieved by a computer program with computer-executable program code instructions for implementing a previously described method, and by a computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute a previously described method.

[0056] The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following description of embodiments, which are explained in more detail in connection with the drawings.

[0057] The figure shows a modular technical system 1. The technical system 1 comprises a first technical module 2, a second technical module 3, a third technical module 4, a further technical module 5, and a control system 8 for the technical system.

[0058] The control system 8 has an operator station server 6, which is designed as an orchestration instance for the creation of a product in the technical system. The operator station server 6 of the control system 8 has an operator station client 7, by means of which the technical system 1 with the technical modules 2, 3, 4, and 5 can be orchestrated, operated, and monitored.

[0059] The technical modules 2, 3, 4, and 5 are designed for modular use in the technical system 1. For this purpose, they comprise a plurality of technical objects such as sensors and actuators, each of which is designed to perform technical functions. A technical function can, for example, represent heating, stirring, moving, measuring, or the like.

[0060] The operator station server 6 is configured to communicate and exchange data with the technical modules 2, 3, 4, and 5 via an OPC UA connection. The first technical module 2, the second technical module 3, and the third technical module 4 are each configured to provide a cumulation of technical functions / services to the control system 8 as the orchestrating instance within the framework of a choreography of their technical functions / services. In other words, this means that they are capable of implementing more complex choreography instructions 9 that they receive from the control system 8.

[0061] In this example, these choreography instructions 9 refer not only to the own technical functions provided by the first technical module 2, but also to the technical functions of the respective neighboring modules 3, 4. This is expressed by interaction double arrows 10a, 10b in FIG 1. The second technical module 3 and the third technical module 4 are also capable of processing the choreography instructions 9 of the control system 8 and, together with the first technical module 2, provide the cumulation of their technical functions as a "service package." The further technical module 5 is not capable of participating in the choreography and can only be orchestrated.

[0062] A detailed structure of the first technical module 2 can be seen in FIG 2. Implemented in the first technical module 2 is a control unit 11 which is designed and provided to control the technical objects of the technical module 2 based on rules and interconnections of the individual objects. The control unit 11 has access to a configurable logic unit 12 of the first technical module 2. In addition, the first technical module 2 has a communication unit 13 which has a computer-implemented connection service 14, a computer-implemented read service 15 and a computer-implemented write service 16. The communication unit 14 can communicate with external communication partners such as the second technical module 3 or the further technical module 5 via an OPC UA interface 17.

[0063] The following explains a method for operating the technical modules 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the technical system 1: First, the technical modules 2, 3, 4, and 5 are integrated into the technical system 1. Logistical steps not explained in detail here are carried out (cables, power supply, placement, etc.). During the setup process, a communication connection is also established from the operator station server 6 to the technical modules 2, 3, and 4. The additional technical module 5 is communicatively connected to the first technical module 2.

[0064] Automatically or through a manual input from an operator of the technical system, a choreography instruction is transmitted from the operator station server 6 to the communication unit 14 of the first technical module 2, as well as to the second technical module 3 and the third technical module 4. In this case, the choreography instruction is a recipe. The recipe contains one or more steps that are to be processed by the technical modules 2, 3, 4, and 5. The recipe also includes parameters relevant to the processing of the individual steps. For example, a recipe can include the following information:

[0065] - Fill 100 liters of fluid A from inlet 1 into a container X - Heat the fluid to a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius

[0066] - Mix the heated fluid A with 10 liters of fluid B from inlet 2

[0067] - Allow the mixture of fluid A and fluid B to cool to a temperature of 30 degrees Celsius

[0068] - Pour the cooled mixture into a container Y.

[0069] The communication unit 14 of the first technical module 2 forwards the received choreography instruction to the configurable logic unit 12 of the first technical module 2. The instruction can follow the formal structure according to the VID / VDE / NAMUR 2658 standard and address individual "services" that the first technical module 2 offers as a "service." The logic unit 12 generates the information necessary for operation based on the choreography instructions 9 for the control unit 11 to control the technical objects for the operation of the first technical module 2 in the technical system. Corresponding logic units of the second and third technical modules 3, 4 perform analogous steps. The choreography instructions 9 also include, as already explained, interactions between the technical modules 2, 3, 4.

[0070] Based on the received choreography instructions 9, the logic unit 12 of the first technical module 2 further generates instructions 18 for a control unit of the further technical module 5 for controlling technical objects for operating the further technical module 5 in the technical system 1. These instructions 18 generated by the logic unit 12 are transmitted to the further technical module 5 by the write service 16 via the OPC UA communication connections managed by the connection service 14. Based on these configurations, the technical modules 2, 3, 4, 5 are operated and the product requested by the recipe is produced. Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Technical module (2) , comprising: - a plurality of technical objects, each designed and intended to perform a technical function, - a control unit (11) which is designed and provided for controlling the technical objects, - a communication unit (13) which is designed to exchange data with external communication partners, in particular further technical modules (3, 4, 5), via communication connections, wherein the communication unit (13) has a computer-implemented connection service (14) which is designed to manage the communication connections of the technical module (2), and wherein the communication unit (13) has a computer-implemented reading service (15) which is designed to read data which is received from external communication partners (3, 4, 5, 8) via the communication connections of the technical module (2) managed by the connection service (14), - a logic unit (12) which is configurable at runtime of the technical module (2) and which is designed to generate, on the basis of choreography instructions (9) which are received via the reading unit (15) from an orchestration instance (8), information necessary for the control unit (11) for controlling the technical objects for operating the technical module (2) in a technical installation (1), characterized in that the configurable logic unit (12) is additionally designed to generate, on the basis of the choreography instructions (9) which are received via the reading unit (15) from the orchestration instance (8), instructions (18) for to generate a control unit of a further technical module (5) for controlling technical objects for operating the further technical module (5) in the technical system (1), wherein the technical module (2) has a computer-implemented writing service (16) which is designed to transmit the instructions (18) generated by the logic unit (12) to the further technical module (5) via the communication connections managed by the connection service (14), so that the technical module (2) is designed as a further orchestration instance for the further technical module (5).

2. Technical module (2) according to claim 1, wherein one or more technical functions can be addressed by the control unit (11) as an executable service according to the standard VDI / VDE / NAMUR 2658, which is valid at the time of the present patent application.

3. Technical module (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication unit (13) is designed to exchange data with external communication partners (3, 4, 5) via the communication connections on the basis of the OPC UA specification valid at the time of this patent application, and wherein the computer-implemented connection service (14) is designed to manage the OPC UA connections of the technical module (2) according to the PLCopen OPC UA specification valid at the time of this patent application, and wherein the computer-implemented read service (15) is designed to read data received from external communication partners (3, 4, 5, 8) via the OPC UA communication connections of the technical module (2) managed by the connection service (14), and wherein the computer-implemented write service (16) is designed to write the instructions (18) generated by the logic unit (12) via the instructions (18) generated by the connection service (14). managed OPC UA communication connections to the further technical module (5).

4. Technical system (1), in particular a manufacturing or process system, comprising at least one technical module (5) according to one of the preceding claims, and at least one orchestration instance (8) formed separately from the technical module (2).

5. Technical system (1) according to claim 4, wherein the orchestration instance (8) is designed as a control system for the technical system (1), which comprises at least one operator station server (6) on which an orchestration service is computer-implemented.

6. Technical system (1) according to claim 4 or 5, which is designed to visualize the choreography instructions (9) transmitted to the technical module (2) for an operator of the technical system (1).

7. Technical system (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, which additionally comprises the further technical module (5) which is connected to the technical module (2) by means of communication technology and is designed to control the technical objects of the further technical module (5) on the basis of the instructions (18) generated by the logic unit (12) of the technical module (2) and transmitted to the further technical module (5).

8. Technical system (1) according to one of claims 4 to 7, which additionally has a further technical module (3, 4) which is connected to the technical module (2) for communication purposes and which is designed according to the preamble of claim 1, or according to the preamble and the characterizing part of claim 1.

9. Procedure for operating a technical module (2) in a technical plant (1), in particular a manufacturing or processing plant, the technical module (2) comprising: - a plurality of technical objects, each designed and intended to perform a technical function, - a control unit (11) for controlling the technical objects, - a communication unit (13) for exchanging data with external communication partners (3, 4, 5, 8), in particular other technical modules (3, 4, 5), via communication connections, - a computer-implemented connection service (14) for managing the communication links of the technical module (2), - a computer-implemented reading service (15) , - a logic unit (12) that can be configured during the runtime of the technical module (2), - a computer-implemented writing service (16), the method comprising: a) integrating the technical module (2) into the technical system (1), wherein in the course of this, a communication connection of the technical module (2) to an orchestration instance (8) of the technical system, in particular a control system of the technical system, is established, b) transmitting choreography instructions (9) to the communication unit (13) by the orchestration instance (8) as an external communication partner of the technical module (2) and forwarding them to the configurable logic unit (12) of the technical module (2), c) generating necessary information on the basis of the choreography instructions (9), which are received from the orchestration instance (8) via the reading unit (15), for the control unit (11) for controlling the technical objects for operating the technical module (2) in the technical system (1), d) On the basis of the choreography instructions (9) received from the orchestration instance (8) via the reading unit (15), generating instructions (18) for a control unit of a further technical module (5) for controlling technical objects for operating the further technical module (5) in the technical system (1), e) transmitting the instructions (18) generated by the logic unit (12) to the further technical module (5) via the communication connections managed by the connection service (14) by the writing service (16), f) operating the technical module (5) in the technical system (1).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the further technical module (5) is additionally operated on the basis of the instructions (18) transmitted by the writing service (16) of the technical module (2).

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, in which a further technical module (3, 4) is additionally operated, which is designed according to the preamble of claim 1, or according to the preamble and the characterizing part of claim 1, wherein the further technical module (3, 4) is operated on the basis of choreography instructions (9) which it receives from the orchestration instance (8).

12. A computer program comprising computer-executable program code instructions for implementing a method according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

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